DATE:
May 25, 2016
TO:
Principals
All Special Educators and Related Service Providers
FROM:
Laura Finlinson, Administrator of Curriculum/Staff Development & Special Programs
Lisa Robinson, Director of Special Education
Julie Brown, Program Specialist-Special Education
SUBJECT:
Information Regarding Beginning of the 2016-17 School Year
As the Special Education Department reflects on the 2015-16 school year, we would like to send out our heartfelt appreciation for the hard work and dedicated service you have provided to students in Jordan School District. Each week we celebrate the amazing acts of teamwork, kindness, extra mile actions, and support that you provide to students, their families, and your colleagues. Your efforts are recognized and celebrated at all levels.
In looking towards the upcoming school year, there are several items that we wanted to make you aware of prior to the start of the new school year. We will provide a general description below and send out detailed information closer to the start of the new school year.
Upcoming:
- Opening Professional Development – This year’s opening information will be provided in a variety of learning opportunities, including online, and small group targeted content trainings. We recognize that preparation time, prior to school starting, is limited and valuable. Therefore, we will not be convening a whole group opening training during the 3 preparation days for the 2016-17 school year.
- Extended Year for Special Education Teacher Stipends – This year the legislature has extended the stipend options for qualifying Special Education teachers, Special Education Preschool teachers, and Speech-Language Pathologists to include 6 days. The details and timesheets will be sent to your school, but we wanted to inform you of the option to use these 6 extended days to complete IEP related duties the two weeks prior to or following your contract days beginning July 1, 2016. Year-round off-contract options are also available.
- Woodcock-Johnson IV Training – Jordan School District has purchased the Woodcock Johnson IV Tests of Achievement to replace the Woodcock Johnson III, which will no longer be on the approved list for achievement testing for the 2016-17 school year. To facilitate the training of all special education teachers to administer this assessment, we have scheduled a variety of training opportunities on the JPLS website. A detailed flyer with registration information will be heading your way.
- Compliance Reviews – Compliance updates and reminder information will be provided in an online format for you to complete during contract time at your convenience.
- On-going Professional Development – There are many continuing and additional opportunities, available for targeted groups of staff, to participate in on-going professional development, that will begin either in the summer months or shortly after school starts in the fall. Please watch for additional information and registration information. Some examples are:
- Math Training for special education and general education math co-teaching teams
- Math content and instructional support for elementary resource teachers
- Revised eligibility for Specific Learning Disability (SLD) for secondary students
- Positive Behavior Supports and new Least Restrictive Behavioral Interventions (LRBI) Guidance
- IEP planning, development, and compliance support training for teams
- Essential Elements core curriculum alignment PLC’s
Once again, thank you for all you do, enjoy your summer, and we are looking forward to another fantastic year.
